Geoff's Miscellany

Miscellaneous Musings

Proverbs

Wisdom Wednesday: The Master of Destruction and Deep Work

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Proverbs 18:9 Even he who is slack in his employment is a brother of a master of destruction. (Author’s Translation)

I can’t tell if I translated the passage above based solely on a desire to be literal or because “master of destruction” simply sounds better than the less literal, “him who destroys (ESV).”

Anyhow, the book of Proverbs, at its heart is about the good life. And central to the good life in the Bible is work. Many people see work as a punishment, but this is not so. Work is the task of humanity from the beginning (take dominion…tend the garden, etc).

Today we are apt to face distractions. These distractions can keep us from fulfillment in terms of skill level, relationship quality, spiritual growth, and employment.

The proverb above reminds me of Cal Newport’s concept, of deep work, which is work “for extended periods with full concentration on a single task free from distraction.”

To work in a fashion designed to produce the most efficient and highest quality results leads to the good life.

Now, let’s look at the rest of the proverb at hand. One who is slack (by doing less than required) is cheating those to whom the work is owed. You may as well destroy their property. On the other hand, one who does not do their best, while meeting the expectations of the job should still feel the force of this proverb. Why? Because while not being literally like the one who destroys as in the previous case, such a person is still missing out on their potential for blessedness (Proverbs 3:13), which is the lot of those who destroy rather than create and tend.

So, find a way to do deep work, or be the brother of the master of destruction.

 

Wisdom Wednesday: Faithfulness to Good Routines

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Don’t You Hate It When
I’m a routine guy. I love routines. Routines, in my mind, are exactly what makes spontaneity pleasant. Now, interestingly, if you love routines, spontaneity can also become a no-go. But that isn’t the topic. The topic is veering off from routine for no good reason.

Example
Most mornings I wake up, do some reading, work on some writing, do my exercises, and get ready for my day.  This morning I woke up and decided I would send an email, first thing. When I checked, I had an email from my boss which he wouldn’t have expected to receive a response to for days. But, many of the questions contained in the email were interesting and pertained to something I’d been thinking about for a few months. So, I spent about an hour writing him back. Basically, what happened is that I missed my routine almost entirely. I am writing my Wisdom Wednesday post where I reflect on the Bible’s wisdom literature, but most of my routine was missed.

A Topical Proverb
I had a different post in mind that maybe I’ll write tonight (broken routine), but I was reminded of this Proverb:

Proverbs 20:9 ESV  Who can say, “I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”

The easy way to respond to breaking one’s routine is to give up on it for any number of reasons:

  1. Too hard
  2. It got boring
  3. Too easily distracted
  4. I missed it a few times so it wasn’t right for me

But this Proverb reminded me that people do wrong things on a much more important scale (the moral one). We plan for evil, we fail to plan for good, we give up on our good plans, we pursue the good with evil intent, we pursue the good with bad methods, and so-on. So, the Proverb asks all of us, “Who can say, ‘I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin?’ To whom is the question addressed?

  1. The self-righteous and judgmental fellow
  2. The person on a permanent diet from sin who has a cheat day every day of the week
  3. The Christian who still struggles with anger/lust/laziness/idolatry after decades of discipleship
  4. The person who thinks that God owes him/her

Now the wrong response to the Proverb is, “Screw it, who can stop sinning? Not this guy!” Instead the idea is to be gracious with oneself and others and get immediately back on the right path. Our routines (for basic self-discipline or for following Christ) are always going to be human and therefore puny. The human will is so wussy (try moving something with your will but not your body). The earth in its circuit is difficult to move out of routine. A human being can be moved off of the path by an email. But, like a parenting tactic I learned from a friend, “You put the kid back in bed until he’s too tired to fight it and goes to sleep.” This process is similar to routines: “You break it Monday, you do it again Tuesday through Friday” until it becomes easier (or it doesn’t, what’s wrong with hard?). Then you can adapt it to your needs. If you fall of the wagon every other day, keep the routine every other day (better than no days). If the routine break involves falling (or running excitedly) into sin, do the same. Quitting some sinful habit every other day is better than doing it every day.

I suppose it is important to remember this as well:

Ecclesiastes 7:20 “Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.”

Wisdom Wednesday: The Simple

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In Proverbs 14, the simple get a bad rep. But the point of that is to remind us, who might be simple-minded, to gain some nuance in the way we think.

For instance, Proverbs essentially outlines four ways of coming to know:

  1. Senses
  2. Inference
  3. Testimony (correction, tradition, instruction, or divine revelation)
  4. Trial and Error

Proverbs says that the simple believe anything that they hear and that they inherit folly.

Proverbs ESV 14:15  The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.

Proverbs ESV 14:18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

The simple, in Proverbs, is essentially the person who does not stop and think things through, whether a good or bad person. They are easily swayed, this is why Lady Wisdom is always trying to get their attention and way Lady Folly and the scoffers find them such easy prey.

Anyway, the prudent is the person who through habitual attention to the four modes of knowing learns to consider the way to go forward. What this means that that a prudent person considers propositions before acting on them and situations before forming definite opinions. In other words, the prudent uses trial and error to test methods, senses to test ideas, inference to move forward from sensory data, and to compare ideas to one another.

Interestingly, I think that the simple person (from the rest of Proverbs) has a tendency to over complicate simple things, “I can’t go to work…there are lions in the streets,” and to over simplify complicated things, “I’ve gone to work for like 6 weeks and I’m not rich. This work thing isn’t worth it.”

Don’t be simple.

Power and Christian Spirituality

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The Christian and Power

Christians are understandably nervous about power.

You know the saying, “Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

But at its most basic level, power is “being able to do what you want.”  Therefore it is no different from strength, except that its associations transcend the athletic capacities of the physical body. And while we often want what is evil, this is not always so. Power is morally neutral in this sense.

I do not think that power is bad. Sought for its own sake, power is an idol. But that is true of food, sex, spiritual disciplines, romance, justice, and essentially everything but God or “the good.”

Power is a good, and as such has its place in the Christian moral landscape. I’ve written about Proverbs 24 before, but there’s more to say about it.

Go ahead and read this twice:

Pro 24:1-12 ESV Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them, (2) for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble. (3) By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; (4) by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. (5) A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, (6) for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.

 

(7) Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth. (8) Whoever plans to do evil will be called a schemer. (9) The devising of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind. (10) If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. (11) Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. (12) If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?

Now, there are different kinds of power/strength. But nevertheless this chunk of Proverbs says at the very least to get:

  1. wisdom
  2. knowledge
  3. might/strength
  4. wise counsel

A favorite genre in the Bible is that of praising/shaming two groups. One of ideal goodness and the other of typological badness. This rhetoric encourages us to place ourselves firmly in one category. The passage above praises:

  1. The wise
  2. Those with knowledge
  3. The strong
  4. Those who increase their might
  5. Those who use wise counsel to overcome obstacles
  6. The steadfast
  7. Those who protect the weak

The passage is shaming:

  1. The wicked
  2. Those who envy the wicked
  3. Individuals who do not increase their strength, wisdom, knowledge
  4. Those who plan evil instead of good
  5. Any who pretend not to see the plight of the weak

Why Seek Power?

I propose that if you have power and use it wisely and justly, you do not have to envy the wicked and you can wage your various wars*, survive adversity, and assist/protect the weak. Solomon praises several dimensions of power throughout Proverbs:**

  1. Financial – earnings, savings, and generosity
  2. Physical – heath of body
  3. Vocational skill – the ability to do something well
  4. Personal – ones persuasiveness and charisma
  5. Cognitive – ones problem solving ability
  6. Emotional – managing  your feelings is crucial
  7. Spiritual/moral – one’s habitual reliance on God and ability to say no to sin (see Hebrews 12 especially), it encompasses all the others because a spiritually strong person can manage poverty or wealth well, can deal with a strong or weak body, and so-on.

Indeed, the biblical authors only disparage human strength when it is arrayed against the purposes of God. The Bible assumes that humanity, with God’s grace, will develop strength. Taking dominion over nature requires persistent growth in power (in all its dimensions).

My point is to encourage Christians to actually seek power and strength. That sounds so weird to say, but again, Jesus says, “Be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves.” Grow in goodness, including the ability to make the good happen. That’s what he’s saying. His statement assumes the background of passages like Proverbs 24.

Closing Questions:

  1. What are you doing to grow in power?
  2. Is it working?
  3. Finally, are you growing in spiritual and moral power?

Notes

*The text may refer to literal wars if Proverbs was written for kings, but warfare is a metaphor in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes for the scribal struggle for wisdom.

**I intentionally left political power out.

Is Proverbs 3:5-7 about Mysticism?

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Often, I have heard Proverbs 3:5-7 brought up in discussions about decision making. Before I move any further, have a read:

Pro 3:5-7 ESV Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  (6)  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.  (7)  Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

The idea is often that somebody who is attempting to use discernment to make a major life decision should wait for God to literally tell them what to do. Otherwise, they might use their discernment (their own understanding), and dishonor God. But, is that what this verse is teaching? Is Solomon advocating listening for God to give us personal advice about our future?

What is the evidence in the text itself? Here is all of Proverbs 3:

Pro 3:1-35 ESV My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,  (2)  for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.  (3)  Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.  (4)  So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.

(5)  Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  (6)  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.  (7)  Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.  (8)  It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.  (9)  Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;  (10)  then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

(11)  My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of his reproof,  (12)  for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.  (13)  Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding,  (14)  for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.  (15)  She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.  (16)  Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.  (17)  Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.  (18)  She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.  (19)  The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens;  (20)  by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.

(21)  My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion,  (22)  and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.  (23)  Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.  (24)  If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.  (25)  Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,  (26)  for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.  (27)  Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.  (28)  Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.  (29)  Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you.  (30)  Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm.  (31)  Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways,  (32)  for the devious person is an abomination to the LORD, but the upright are in his confidence.  (33)  The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.  (34)  Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.  (35)  The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.

It appears in this context, that trusting in the Lord is directly related to three ideas:

  1. Solomon’s commandments to his son (the teachings of the whole book of Proverbs, but most immediately those in the following paragraphs)
  2. Steadfast love and faithfulness (adherence to the Mosaic Covenant), thus “turning away from evil.” Do note, that the practice of tithing in order to ensure the economic success of the whole society and thus yourself is directly referenced.
  3. Gaining wisdom as so that one is no longer trapped in the impetuous and simpleminded approach to life that corresponds to youth in the book of Proverbs.

In other words the concept of “leaning not on your own understanding” means basing your life on the advice of the wise, on what God has revealed in Scripture, and on a mature perspective once you have gained wisdom.

I have no doubt that God can speak directly to people about things. God is omnipotent. On the other hand, when interpreting Scripture, one should try to do it in context. Proverbs 3:5-7 is not a command to rely upon direct mystical revelation from God. It is, instead, a command to base one’s life on wisdom when your own preferences and passions lead you in the opposite direction of truth and goodness.

In many ways, the interpretation often supplied for this verse may actually be the opposite of what it means. When we wait for a “private revelation from God” we often wait for a deep emotional or intuitive impression. The problem is that it is really easy to use confirmation bias in such situations and then blame extremely foolish decisions upon God.

With an abundance of counselors

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Today I read Proverbs 24:6:

…for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.

A few weeks ago I wrote about Proverbs 14:23:

In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.

While I was mowing my yard I began to think about the relationship between the two ideas. One is that any action is better than none, the other is that well advised action is more likely to succeed.

I thought that in the military setting mentioned, the meaning of 24:6 is clear. If you have help from people who understand the terrain, the weapons in use, and the other military then your victory (or quick surrender) are more likely to succeed. If you read your Von Clauswitz and Sun Tzu, you’ll be more likely to succeed. If you’re a martial artist, but you only know boxing and a jiu-jitsu guy gets a grip on you, have a nice nap. But if you’ve learned from both styles, then your chances of success increase.

In a ministry setting it makes sense to have many counselors too:

  1. The whole range of Scripture
  2. A network of wise men and women upon whom to rely for advice
  3. Knowledge of local experts in psychology and family doctors to recommend to the sick (people often go to their pastor for very random advice)
  4. Books on theology and bible commentaries to help you answer hard questions
  5. Books on philosophy and reasoning to help you solve problems
  6. Books on leadership and business to help you do the same.

But all that talk, the other Proverb says, is meaningless if it does not lead to action. Imagine a military leader drawing up strategies while his compound is being breached!

Any other counselors or sources of wisdom for ministers? How about for those who are not preachers or Bible teachers? What counselors could help bring them victory?